New Release Birb- Red Sparrow

Red Sparrow
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton
Directed By Francis Lawrence
US Release Date: March 2nd, 2018
My First Viewing: March 2nd, 2018
image credit: movieposter.com

Red Sparrow stars Jennifer Lawrence as Dominika, a Russian ballet dancer turned spy and Joel Edgerton as the CIA agent Nate Nash, who Dominika is tasked with following and gaining his trust to be able to find out who Nash's mole inside the Russian government is.

We follow Dominika every step of the way, from ballet dancer through her Sparrow training (Sparrows being secret intelligence agents who use their minds and bodies as weapons to gain trust and power), and her journey with Nash. Lawrence is very good in the lead role, putting herself in many different vulnerable positions but always trying to be a step ahead. Director Francis Lawrence has plenty of experience directing Jennifer Lawrence, with his last three films being the last three Hunger Games movies. We don't really know where her mindset is as the story unfolds. Is she really helping the CIA, or is she ensuring that she can get her mother (Joely Richardson) the medical care she needs by working with her uncle (Matthias Schoenaerts) with the Russian government?

While Red Sparrow does have it's fair share of intense moments, it is a very brutal film that could have been shaved by 15-20 minutes. Taken down to closer to two hours, it would have been a more compact film with the intense moments meaning much more. I thought this was a good film, but it feels every bit its 139-minute runtime.

Red Sparrow is rated R for brutal violence/torture, language, and sexuality/nudity. What are your thoughts? Leave a comment at twitter.com/moviebirb or facebook.com/moviebirb.

-birb

Comments

Best Picture Birb: The Shape of Water

The Shape of Water Starring: Sally Hawkins, Octavia Spencer, and Richard Jenkins Written and Directed by Guillermo del Toro US Release Date: December 1st, 2017 Most Recent Viewing: March 3rd, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com Garnering the most nominations at the 90th Academy Awards with thirteen, The Shape of Water gives us Guillermo del Toro's best film since Pan's Labyrinth. This cold war fairy tale is a visual tour de force and a compelling story, all of which was told through the eyes of the main character who doesn't say a word. Sally Hawkins stars as Eliza, a mute janitorial worker at a secret government facility who is trying to find her place in the world. When an Amazonian monster is brought to the facility by the head of security Richard Stickland (Michael Shannon), Eliza and the monster (Doug Jones) build a bond. Octavia Spencer plays Eliza's workmate and friend Zelda, and Richard Jenkins plays Giles, Eliza's neighbor, and best friend. Jenk

New Release Birb: Deadpool 2

Deadpool 2 Starring: Ryan Reynolds and Josh Brolin Directed by David Leitch US Release Date: May 18th, 2018 My First Viewing: May 17th, 2018 image credit: movieposter.com Nearly two and a half years after turning the superhero/comic book genre on its ear with the original, Ryan Reynolds returns with a new director, but with the familiar quips and fourth-wall breaking in Deadpool 2. Taking place after the events of the first film, we follow the Merc with the Mouth as he continues his mercenary ways. However, after a hit goes wrong, Mr. Pool tries to turn a new leaf by trying to help a young mutant Russell (Julian Dennison, Hunt for the Wilderpeople ) while also becoming an X-Man (trainee) . On the hunt for Russell is Cable (Josh Brolin), traveling back from the future to try and kill Russell. This is a much different movie from the first Deadpool. While I preferred the first due to it's more spontaneous nature, the sequel had a lot to live up to, and for the most par

Best Picture Birb- The Post

The Post Starring: Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks Directed by Steven Spielberg US Release Date: December 22nd, 2017 Most Recent Viewing: March 3rd, 2018 Image Credit: movieposter.com Nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Actress- Meryl Streep and Best Picture), The Post tells the story of the Washington Post and their handling of The Pentagon Papers, confidential information on the United States actions in the Vietnam War that spanned over five different presidential reigns. Streep and Hanks are plastered all over the advertising as the leads, Streep playing Post owner Kay Graham, who takes over the family business after her husband's death. Streep is predictably good in this role, showing her evolution from quiet background player to a presence. Hanks plays editor-in-chief Ben Bradlee, who is headstrong in the Post's First Amendment rights of freedom of the press, pushing hard to be able to publish the story even with the Nixon administration doing what they can to bl

Random Movie Birb

Search This Blog